The short answer
Gatwick–Luton is the only pair with a useful direct train: Thameslink to Luton Airport Parkway in ~80 min, then the DART. The coach is cheaper per seat (from ~£18) but slow at ~2h15. A fixed-fare taxi is ~80–90 min door to door — one price for the whole car, best for groups, luggage and connections.
The airports are about 70 miles apart — Gatwick south of London, Luton north. Unusually for inter-airport travel, the train is genuinely an option here because Thameslink links them directly, so it's a real three-way choice between price (coach), speed without a London change (train), and convenience (taxi).
Cheapest options compared
Indicative figures — fares vary by demand and how far ahead you book. Always check live before travelling.
| Option | Time | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Express coach | ~2h15 | ~£18 per seat | Cheapest if time isn't tight |
| Thameslink train (+ DART) | ~80 min | ~£25–35 | Faster, no London change |
| Private taxi (RushXO) | ~80–90 min | fixed fare | Groups, luggage, connections |
The coach — cheapest, but slow
National Express runs directly, from around £18 one-way, but the journey is roughly 2 hours 15 minutes as the route loops via Heathrow. It's the lowest headline fare for a single traveller, but the time cost is real — on a connection, those extra ninety-odd minutes matter. Book ahead for the cheapest seats.
The direct Thameslink train
Here's the rarity: a direct train. Thameslink runs from Gatwick to Luton Airport Parkway in about 80 minutes with no change in central London, then the short Luton DART people-mover takes you to the terminal (a DART ticket is usually bundled with a through fare). It's faster than the coach and avoids dragging bags across London — typically dearer than the coach but often the best public-transport pick on this pair.
Connection time to allow
A flight-tracked taxi is the simplest for a connection: no coach to wait for, no train-then-DART changes, the driver follows your inbound flight and goes straight there.
When a taxi wins
- Groups: one fixed fare for the vehicle can beat several coach or train tickets.
- Luggage: no per-seat limits, no DART change with bags.
- Connections & odd hours: door to door, flight tracked, no surge.
- Speed with zero faff: ~80–90 min direct, no timetable to catch.
A direct Gatwick–Luton taxi
One fixed price for the whole vehicle, flight tracked, met in arrivals and straight across — Gatwick to Luton or Luton to Gatwick. No meter, no surge.
Get my fixed fare →FAQs
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Fares and times are indicative and current at the time of writing (2026); they vary with operator, ticket type, demand and traffic. Always check the relevant operator for live prices and confirm minimum connection times with your airline. RushXO is a licensed private-hire operator and is not affiliated with any airport, coach or rail operator.